How To Do a Day Trip To Montserrat from Barcelona
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Sean Finelli
Montserrat is one of the most astonishing places to see when visiting Barcelona. This abbey was built within the mountain range and has captivated visitors for years, though getting there takes some effort. In this article, find out how to do a day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona on your own or with a guided tour (the easiest way).
Pro Tip: It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Bookmark this post along with our Montserrat guide for more planning resources, our top Montserrat tours for a memorable worry-free experience, and the top things to do in Montserrat.
How To Get To Montserrat
The monastery is more than 60 kilometers from Barcelona and getting there will take some planning if you don’t have your own car. There are a series of public transport combinations that will get you to Montserrat as well. Here’s how you can get to Monserrat from Barcelona:
By Train
There’s a train that runs from Plaça Espanya in Barcelona to Aeri de Montserrat. Take the R5 line and you’ll get to the town below the monastery in an hour. Round-trip tickets cost €11.50. Then, you’ll need to purchase a round-trip ticket for the cable car that takes you to the monastery up on the mountain, which costs €12.
You can also take the train from Plaça Espanya in Barcelona to Monistrol de Montserrat for €11.50. From there, you’ll have to book the Cremallera or cogwheel train to get to the monastery. Round-trip tickets are usually €12.
By Car
If you’re comfortable driving yourself from Barcelona into the mountains, you can also opt to rent a car and drive to either Aeri de Montserrat or Monistrol de Montserrat. From there, you’ll still have to book a ticket on either the cable car or the train to get up to the monastery on the mountain.
Guided Tour
Booking a guided tour from Barcelona to Montserrat is the most convenient option since you don’t have to stress about arranging your own tickets and transportation. All tickets are included, and you get to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery while your tour guide entertains you with fascinating commentary.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Barcelona tours to take and why.
What To See at Montserrat
As you’ll be spending a day in Montserrat, here are recommended monuments you can visit before leaving this holy mountain. Within this religious complex, you’ll find different buildings that are part of the Benedictine order of Montserrat, the keepers of this holy place.
The Monks’ historical residences, religious courtyards, altar boy residences (altar boys are one of the main elements of Montserrat, who are locally known as escolanets), a school of music, a museum, and other facilities are all located here, creating a unique atmosphere.
Within the church of Santa Maria de Montserrat, you’ll find the famous carving of la Moreneta, which is open to the public. To see this holy figure, you’ll have to access the church through a door on the right side and cross the entire church through a baroque-style corridor. Then, you’ll reach the small room where la Moreneta, The Virgin of Montserrat, is found.
Locals and visitors are allowed to touch the sphere she holds in her right hand to bless all her devotees. Interestingly, the room where you can find this figure is part of the apse of the church.
Not many churches in the world have a design like this one, demonstrating the uniqueness of this abbey, as well as the importance of la Moreneta. For a more in-depth list with descriptions, read the top things to do in Montserrat.
If you need a snack or a meal, you’ll find cafeterias and restaurants near the abbey. We also have a list of the best restaurants in and near Montserrat if you’re looking for more options.
You can also visit the shop of the abbey and get a souvenir of this unique mountain.
Check Out Our Best Montserrat Tours from Barcelona
Top Rated Tour
From Barcelona: Day Trip to Montserrat with Tapas & Wine
Take the day and head to Montserrat with a small group and local guide who will make sure all the transportation details are taken care of. Explore this charming town from the market to the scenic views before enjoying a tapas and wine tasting at an organic vineyard.
See Price
Likely to Sell Out
Full Day Trip to Montserrat from Barcelona with Winery & 3-Course Lunch
Visiting the Montserrat Monastery is one of the top sites to see when coming to Barcelona, and we make it easy with all details arranged for you. This longer tour gives you extra time to spend at the monastery in case you want to hike, see the Black Madonna, or ride the second funicular. Best of all, you get a 3-course lunch with wine at an organic vineyard.
See Price
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Barcelona tours to take and why.
The Montserrat Funicular
There is also a funicular that takes you to the Chapel of Saint John, located on one of the highest hills of Montserrat. If you want to ride it, you’ll need to purchase another ticket for it while at the monastery. From the funicular stop, there are several routes to different places in the natural park of the monastery.
These routes are not for professional hikers, although if that’s your style, there are several areas for professional climbers that guarantee you an unforgettable view! Besides professional climbers, regular visitors can walk these routes that bring you to beautiful places, which are no more than a 40 to 50-minute walk.
There is also a second option with another funicular that takes you from the abbey of Montserrat to the Holy Cave (Santa Cova) where the figure of la Moreneta was found. No matter which path you choose while exploring this mountain, your day trip to Montserrat will be awe-inspiring and memorable.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the best Barcelona tours to take and why.
About Sean Finelli
Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his “Dr. Jekyll” side! His “Mr. Hyde” is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!
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How to Take a Day Trip from Barcelona to Montserrat —
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How to Take a Day Trip from Barcelona to Montserrat
This post is all about how to take a day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat.
Visiting the monastery at Montserrat is a very popular and easy day trip from Barcelona. It’s a great way to get out of the city and see some stunning mountains and views over the Catalan countryside.
But figuring out the logistics of how to actually get from Barcelona to Montserrat can be a little tricky, which is why I put together this guide.
Here is everything you need to know to have a great day trip to Montserrat:
What Is Montserrat?
Montserrat is actually the name of a mountain range in Catalonia, Spain. The name translates to “serrated mountain” in Catalan, due to the jagged, saw-like appearance of the peaks.
The popular Montserrat day trip from Barcelona typically consists of visiting the Santa Maria de Montserrat, a Benedictine monastery perched high up on one of the peaks.
The monastery was founded during the 11th century and is still active today, with more than 70 monks residing there. Located inside the monastery is the famous statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, unique for depicting a Black Madonna.
In addition to the monastery, there are many hiking trails and scenic viewpoints nearby.
How to Get There
You have a few different options for getting to Monserrat from Barcelona:
Train and Cable Car
One of the easiest and most scenic ways to reach Montserrat is by taking the train.
From Plaça Espanya in Barcelona, you will take the R5 line to the Aeri de Montserrat stop. This takes about one hour and costs €5.25 each way. (€10.50 round trip.)
From there, you can take the cable car all the way up to the monastery. Be prepared for awesome views! The cable car costs €7.50 one way or €11.50 for a round trip ticket. It runs every 5-15 minutes.
You can buy a combined round trip ticket for the train and cable car from Plaça Espanya for €22.
Train and Rack Railway
Your other option is taking the train then rack railway to the monastery.
For this option, you will take the R5 line from Plaça Espanya in Barcelona to Monistrol de Montserrat (one stop past Aeri de Montserrat.) Then you will change to the green train called the Cremallara, which is the rack railway train.
The rack railway train is not as scenic as the cable car, but it’s more comfortable and a good option for anyone who is scared of heights.
This costs €7.
20 one-way or €12.00 for a return ticket.
You can buy a combined round trip ticket for the train and rack railway from Plaça Espanya for €22.
Guided Tour
A guided tour is what I did simply because it’s the best way to visit Montserrat before the crowds arrive. It’s also the simplest, least hassle option.
The majority of people visiting Montserrat on a day trip arrive by train, and the earliest train doesn’t get into Montserrat until after 9:30 AM.
However, this tour I took departs Barcelona at 7:30 AM and gets you to Montserrat at about 8:30 AM, giving you a full hour to explore the monastery while it’s still nearly empty.
At $33, this tour includes round trip transportation by bus, a guide, and admission to the Museu de Montserrat. The tour lasts five hours, giving you plenty of time to explore but still getting you back to Barcelona in the early afternoon.
Tot Montserrat Ticket
The Tot Montserrat ticket is a combination ticket that includes all transportation (and more) for taking a day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat.
For €52.90, here is what you get with this ticket:
- Round trip metro ticket to and from Plaça Espanya
- Round trip train ticket from Plaça Espanya to Monistrol de Montserrat
- Round trip ticket on the cable car or rack railways to Montserrat
- Unlimited use of the Sant Joan funicular
- Entrance to the audiovisual exhibit “Montserrat Behind Closed Doors”
- Admission to the Museu de Montserrat
- One meal in the self-service restaurant at Montserrat
You can read more about or purchase the Tot Montserrat ticket here.
Bus
Most people opt to take the train since it is more scenic, faster, and pretty affordable, but it is also possible to go from Barcelona to Montserrat by bus. (The bus is slightly cheaper than the train.)
The bus company is called Autocares Julià and buses depart from the Sants Coach Station in Barcelona and arrive at the monastery in Montserrat.
The journey takes about 1.5 hours and tickets are €5.10 each way.
Private Transportation
One other way to get from Barcelona to Montserrat is through private transportation, such as hiring a driver or taxi (although this is the priciest option.)
You can expect to pay €90-€100 for private transportation.
What to Do at Montserrat
Here are some of the best things to do on your visit to Montserrat:
Admire the views
The views from the monastery looking out over the Catalan countryside are spectacular.
See the Black Madonna
Montserrat is famous for it statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, one of the few Black Madonnas in Europe. The statue is housed inside the basilica, which is free to enter.
The line to enter the basilica can get pretty long, so I recommend going first thing in the morning.
Visit the Museu de Montserrat
If you are doing the guided tour I did then museum tickets are included in your tour.
Otherwise, they cost €8 for adults and €6.50 for students.
I was pleasantly surprised by this museum, which contained a really impressive collection of art from artists spanning many different styles, including El Greco, Monet, Degas, Dali, and Picasso.
Ride the Sant Joan Funicular
The funicular takes you even further up the mountain from the monastery, where you can find some incredible views. It’s also the starting point for the Sant Jeroni hike.
Tickets for the funicular are €9.10 one-way or €14.00 for a return ticket, and must be purchased at the funicular station in Montserrat.
Where to Eat at Montserrat
There are a few different options for dining at Montserrat, which are:
- Sit-down restaurants: There are two sit-down restaurants, Restaurant Montserrat and Restaurant Abal Cisneros. These are on the expensive side for lunch.
- Casual restaurants: There are also two cafeteria-style casual restaurants, La Cafeteria and Self-Service Restaurant.
Both offer cold and hot food and reasonable prices. - Picnic lunch: Packing a picnic is a great option for lunch at Montserrat. There are plenty of picnic tables with scenic views where you can enjoy your food!
Both offer cold and hot food and reasonable prices.I personally recommend packing a picnic lunch. I ate at La Cafeteria, and while the food was okay and the prices weren’t too bad, it wasn’t anything remarkable.
How Long Do You Need at Montserrat?
You can easily experience the highlights of Montserrat in a half day visit.
I would allot three hours total for transportation time if you’re going by train, and then at least two or three hours to explore Montserrat.
If you want to do any walks or hiking while you’re there, I would allot a few more hours for that and plan to make a full day out of your visit to Montserrat.
Should You Take a Day Trip from Barcelona to Montserrat?
I highly recommend taking a day trip to Montserrat.
It’s one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona, and for good reason.
The monastery on top of the mountain is just stunning, and so are the views of the surrounding countryside. I really enjoyed my visit, especially the early morning guided tour I took.
More Day Trips in Spain
For more day trip ideas in Spain, you may be interested in:
- 9 Best Day Trips from Seville, Spain
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Directions by car from Barcelona to Montserrat in Catalonia, Spain
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Montserrat Mountain
By car from Barcelona to Montserrat can be reached quickly and comfortably. You can drive directly to the monastery, plus there is free parking (more on parking below). From Barcelona you will need to drive inland, and at the entrance to Montserrat you can admire the views of Mount Montserrat and its surroundings.
This page has a detailed map of how to get from the center of Barcelona to Montserrat. It also has information about car rental agencies near Montserrat.
Book your tickets for a half day excursion to Montserrat from Barcelona round trip
There are two organized tours that will save you time and hassle to travel to Montserrat on your own. They include round-trip travel from Barcelona to Montserrat by air-conditioned bus. You can choose a half-day tour in the morning or in the afternoon.
Morning Tour to Montserrat
Click here to purchase tickets online for Morning Tour to Montserrat from Barcelona
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Rent a car Montserrat
There are no car rental agencies in Montserrat.
However, if you are going to go to Montserrat from Barcelona, then you can rent a car in Barcelona. For details and contact information for car rentals in Barcelona, see our Montserrat Car Rental Guide.
Parking at Montserrat
Montserrat has a car park where you can leave your car upon arrival. For more information about prices, location and availability of parking spaces at the car park at Montserrat see our article on parking at Montserrat
If you wish to park for free, you can do so either at the rack railway station or at the cable car station – see below.
If you are going to Montserrat by car, then you will need to decide whether you want to leave the car at the monastery or at the foot of the mountain, and then go up to the monastery on one of the mountain trains. Many climb up to Montserrat either by rack railway or by cable car – a trip by cable car or rack car can leave a lasting impression. The stations of both these trains have free parking.
If you want to leave your car at the Cremallera de Montserrat station and travel the rest of the way on the rack railway, then read our article on the rack railway. If you want to ride the breathtaking Aeri de Montserrat, then read our article on the cable car to Montserrat.
The car from Barcelona to Montserrat is a very convenient and fast way to get to the monastery.
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How to get to Montserrat from Barcelona
If you come to rest in sunny Barcelona, you must at least see out of the corner of your eye one of the most revered shrines of Catalonia – Montserrat. This is a Benedictine monastery located high in the mountains. Pilgrims from all over the world come here just to touch the walls of the ancient temple. In honor of the main shrine of the monastery, the Black Madonna, they even named the most popular opera singer in Spain, Montserrat Caballe. Montserrat can be reached in several different ways. In this article you will find a detailed guide on how to get to Montserrat on your own, without the help of guides and guides.
Contents:
- Legends of Montserrat
- How to get to Montserrat from Barcelona?
Montserrat was founded in the 9th century and has always been a revered shrine of Catalonia. It was only in 1811 that it was almost completely destroyed by Napoleon’s army, but in 1844 the Benedictine community undertook its complete restoration, which lasted almost a hundred years. And now we can see the work and labors of the saviors of the temple. It houses a statue of the Virgin Mary from the 12th century, which was called the “Black Madonna” because of the dark shade of black poplar from which it was made. According to legend, she grants wishes, so pilgrims return to her twice – the first time with a request, and the second – with the paraphernalia of fulfilled desires. For example, if a girl asked Madonna to “marry”, then the second time she brought her her wedding dress. In addition to the main shrine, the temple has many places to see: the basilica, the monastery choir, the museum and Mount Montserrat itself.
The stained glass windows and the splendor of the throne room will make you marvel at this beauty. There are also several funiculars that you can ride. They lead to the mountain itself, the Holy Cave and the hiking trails of Montserrat.
@elena_legrand_paris
You don’t have to pay a lot of money to guides and guides to take you to the mountain by bus. You can make an exciting adventure and get there on your own.
Start:
First you need to get to Barcelona itself, if you are vacationing somewhere in the vicinity. This can be done by train, which will bring you to the Barcelona Sants station. From this station you can take the metro or walk (10 minutes walk) to the main square of Spain (Pl. Espanya). On this square, you need to go down to the metro (if you were originally in the city and rode the metro, then you need to drive up to this station of the same name). The metro in Barcelona is marked with the FGC icon.
From the metro:
From the Placa Espanya metro station, take the Manresa direction, there are several trains to Montserrat: R5 and R50.
You can get off at two stations: Monistrol de Montserrat and Montserrat Aeri. Both stations will take you to the mountains. But then the fun begins!
@wanderlust_photo_travel
After metro:
There are two options:
The first is from the Monistrol de Montserrat station you take the Cremallera cog railway and ride it to the point of arrival.
Second – at the Montserrat Aeri station you take the cable car and also reach Montserrat. You can combine both of these routes if you get there one way and go back the next way.
Tickets:
You must choose the route you will take while still in Barcelona in order to buy the most convenient ticket for you at the box office. There are several types of tickets: a combined ticket, which includes several trips on both the cable car and the cog railway. Or a regular one way ticket. It is best to take complex tickets, as they will come out much cheaper. If you didn’t have time to buy tickets in the city, it’s okay, you can also buy it on the Montserrat platform.